Retract Jacob Juma tweet, DP Ruto tells Boniface Mwangi

Deputy President William Ruto, through his lawyers, Kilukumi & Co. Advocates, has demanded an apology from activist Boniface Mwangi over an allegedly libelous tweet linking the DP to the death of businessman Jacob Juma, who was assassinated in May, 2016.

Boniface Mwangi posted a controversial tweet on September 28 insinuating the DP’s involvement in the murder of Juma.

If Mr Mwangi fails to retract his statement, he could face litigation, says DP Ruto’s legal rep.

“The words in their ordinary and plain meaning are defamatory and they have severely injured our client’s reputation. The defamatory words attracted 556 retweets and 476 likes as of today 9:30am after the tweet was posted as well as numerous comments from different people who now view our client as a murderer and a thief. His reputation as a national leader has been gravely undermined by the said tweet,” reads Kilukumi and Co. Advocates letter addressed to Boniface Mwangi dated September 30, and obtained by eDaily.

“It is common knowledge that all digital activity is public and permanent. Once posted online a tweet is there forever… This leaves a permanent damage on our client’s reputation as he has been exposed to shame, hatred, contempt, anguish and animosity. He has as a result been injured and continues to be injured in his political career,” the document read further.

The firm asked the outspoken activist to retract his statement.

“Our instructions are therefore to demand, as we hereby do, your immediate publication of a suitable retraction, correction and apology, the same to be given a prominent coverage,” concludes the statement.

This is not the first time that the vocal activist has clashed with the government and senior state officials.

In July, a peaceful protest against the killing of lawyer Willie Kimani turned ugly when protestors, led by Boniface Mwangi, poured a ‘blood-coloured’ liquid on police spokesman Charles Owino.

In 2013, Mwangi led youth and activists in a shocking protest – involving blood and pigs – outside parliament building as MPs made a move to increase their salaries.

In the same year, he led a group of protesters in the burning of coffins outside parliament.